question about reorientation therapy

[careandrespect]

I just had a question about reorientation therapy which I have been reading about lately and was wondering if anyone could provide me with their personal opinion about it. From what I hear it seems like a two edged sword - some say it is very successful others say that it can be dangerous. From my own personal opinion I would not venture to try it because it seems to questionable.

What do you think about it? I am most interested in hearing what you have to say.

Thank you,
careandrespect

[xequar]

Every credible scientific source, including the American Psychological Association, has decried the practice as harmful, and the APA is currently reviewing its policy with the consideration of BANNING the practice. Outside of the religious zealot whackjobs, I don't think you'll find a shred of support for it.

[Paul_UK]

xequar summed it up well. It's basically brain-washing. Don't go there!

[24601]

I never even heard of this before this post. That's ridiculous... Honestly, it should be outlawed.

[Paul_UK]

Some info here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reorientation_therapy which I haven't read yet.

[Cloud Nine 5]

I used to look into that kind of stuff. Some methods are harsher than others. There are anti-gay camps that make you think of doing something sexual with someone of the same sex and then they do some shock therapy, I guess they do that to make you autmotically afraid to have homosexual thoughts but I don't see how an actual attraction to females is created.

Also there are more psychological methods that make more sense, like going to deep psychological sessions regulary, go deep inside your mind to address why you want a man figure in your life. Supposedly after every session you feel man enough and you don't have to need a man that loves you. That makes your mind want girls because you're now "man enough". Funny that they're so God-loving to make people go the "right" way and yet they don't do it for free and make it THEIR profit (God who?).

[careandrespect]

Hello.
Just a note of thanks to all of you for being open and honest. This is what makes this site so helpful. Your guidance is most appreciated.

careandrespect

[liszak]

I am not against "reorientation therapy" as a concept because I think people should be allowed to live their lives however they want (as long as they're not directly harming anyone else). A person might have any number of very valid reasons for not wanting to be attracted to the same sex, and that's fine for them. Let them try to get "reoriented" if they want to try.

My problem w/ reorientation therapy as it is now is that it seems, w/o alternative, based on the notion that being gay is WRONG in a larger sense -- not that it isn't right for the particular individual seeking the therapy, but that it isn't right, period. And that's bull.

[CrimsonThunder]

I want some straight people be be re-orientated. >_>

[wtinal]

I want some straight people be be re-orientated. >_>

Me too! But, I don't think re-orientation to gay or straight would actually work.

[boarder25]

I want some straight people be be re-orientated. >_>
Hahaha I agree with you there. :lol:

But if you can't make gays straight, then I highly doubt you could make a straight person gay. Or... at least I would think so. Maybe it would still be worth the old college try. >_>

[joeyconnick]

Hahaha I agree with you there. :lol:

But if you can't make gays straight, then I highly doubt you could make a straight person gay. Or... at least I would think so. Maybe it would still be worth the old college try. >_>But all those 3-beer queers!

[joeyconnick]

I am not against "reorientation therapy" as a concept because I think people should be allowed to live their lives however they want (as long as they're not directly harming anyone else). A person might have any number of very valid reasons for not wanting to be attracted to the same sex, and that's fine for them. Let them try to get "reoriented" if they want to try.That's an interesting point. I guess if it actually worked then yeah, it wouldn't be harming anyone. Sadly, as has been mentioned, no credible source believes it does... at best it seems to teach people how to ACT straight, which of course is exceptionally harmful to others because if the not-really-ex-gay person starts a relationship with someone of a different gender then one assumes that can only lead to heartbreak owing to, essentially, false pretences.

[George]

Hmm... If my parents or anyone ever tries to get this done on me, I would so sue them for psychological abuse and get an emancipation.

But then again, it probably wouldn't happen. Just me having nightmares again.

[xequar]

Here's a link to Time's article about the APA's review of reorientation therapy (http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1642023,00.html?xid=feed-cnn-topics), for those who are interested.

[careandrespect]

Again, I would like to thank you for your information. I have and continue to find it to be most helpful. I agree, If a person has an inner desire to try to switch their orientation they should try it, however no should be forced whether by parents or friends to make a switch. That would certainly be a form of psychological abuse which I believe could be most harmful.

Again thank you for your time and help. It is most appreciated.

careandrespect

[Miaplacidus]

It is impossible, and attempting to do it is traumatizing for the patient. Never, ever, try to do it!

[beckyg]

It is a waste of time and money. Just love yourself. Watch the DVD Fish Can't Fly.
www.fishcantfly.com

[downboyup]

Becky G, you are a treasuretrove of information. Can you be my mum?

I hope your son appreciates you!!!!

Good luck careandrespect.

[beckyg]

Becky G, you are a treasuretrove of information. Can you be my mum?

I hope your son appreciates you!!!!

Good luck careandrespect.

LOL - Since you are 41 and I'm 45, I'd think we'd make better friends but thanks for the compliment! Yes, my son does appreciate me. Although sometimes I annoy him too because I think more about support, education, and advocacy than he does. He's always calling me a lesbian. lol

[careandrespect]

To my friends at EC. I am most appreciative of all your help and sound advice on this topic. Thanks.
careandrespect

[downboyup]

tks. I love reading your posts. yr son is lucky.

[AstroJesse]

Wow. Guess I'm a little late, but I'd still like to put my two cents in if I may. I my self am VERY religious. Go to church every sunday type thing. The view I've alwyas gotten from church is that god loves you for who you are, who he MADE you. I've looked again and again at the religious aspect of being bisexual, and I keep putting it off how much it will effect me. I went through a point where I felt I was wrong, disgusting, and almost vile for what I'd "done".

Then I talked to my friend, who is also completly religious, and she told me that It was okay. Being gay was not wrong in gods eyes, becuase it was just a part of who you are. He made you that way, how could he expect you to change?

Going through a therapy is something I did consider for a while. But I realized that I'm to young for that, don't have the money, etc. Now that I look back though, I'm really gald I never looked into it. I just dosen't seem right. God never said he wasn't going to accept me for being gay. It was more for the church and people to be able to accept you. It's not some temptation god is trying to test you with.

My point: It's your life, and you can be gay, lesbian, bi sexual, transgender, whatever you want, and still have god in it.

[Cooper Day]

As a practicing psychologist I can tell you that these therapies are bogus. You would be better served by seeking help (if you really need it) to accept your orientation.
Peace and much love!

[nolousolf]

reorientation isnt possible.. youre born with a designated sexual orientation1